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Have a Great Summer!

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Now that summer is here, it’s time for us to enjoy everything that Broward County has to offer without the tourists we typically see all winter. Don’t get me wrong, we love our visitors! They pumped $10.6 billion dollars into the Broward economy last year and that’s helping to keep our taxes down and create local jobs. Tourism is the lifeblood of our community.

Now is the best time of year for all of us “locals” to enjoy great amenities like one of the nearly 50 Broward County Parks and Nature Centers. Maybe it’s time to take the family to one of our fantastic water parks. Go for an airboat ride and see a gator show at Everglades Holiday Park and experience all of the park’s recent upgrades. Of course, plan to hit one of the beaches along our 23 mile coastline.

Too hot for you outside?Visit one of our superb libraries and rent a book, CD or DVD or use the BCL WOW (without walls) app on your phone or tablet and download that book or magazine wherever you’re going. You can even download films and music for free! It’s also the time of year to go to one of your favorite restaurants without having to wait for the best table in the house. This time of year is even better because of the 2-for-1 deals that many area businesses offer through our Sunny.org website. Don’t forget that the Broward Center offers some fantastic shows over the summer, too.

When the Broward County Commission returns mid-August, after our break, we’ll be working on the Broward’s budget for 2015. With property values up, more revenue is coming into the County. We’ll be able to do a little more and still not raise taxes.

I hope you enjoy your summer, are able to spend time with friends and family and enjoy the best that Broward County has to offer.

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Filming in Broward

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Broward County is fast becoming a great place for movie and TV production companies to film their next big project. Some TV series which are already filmed in part in Broward include USA’s Graceland, (already starting season 2,) Animal Planet’s Gator Boys, LOGO’s Trailblazers and Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing. There are also numerous Spanish language soap operas filmed in Broward including Telemundo’s En Otra Piel and Reina de Corazone, and Venevisión International’s Sangre En El Divan. As far as feature films, Broward County is on the radar of west coast studios with some up and coming movies. Shot in Broward and expected to come out later this year are Patient Killer, Colt 45, Greater Goode and A Change of Heart, just to name a few.

To find out more about what’s going on in the entertainment industry in Broward, go to Sunny.org/film.

Stacy visiting the set of USA’s Graceland, which is filmed in Broward County.

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Broward Turning 100

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Broward County is making plans for our 100 year centennial. “Broward 100 – Celebrating the Art of Community” will be a year-long, community-wide celebration beginning October 2014, with numerous events and activities that utilize the arts to strengthen communities and build unity. There will be four cornerstones to the County’s celebration with the grand finale event taking place October 2-4, 2015. Details are still being ironed out, but follow all the details at Broward100.org.

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More Expansion at FLL

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By now you already know about the new runway that will be opening at Broward County’s Airport in September. But did you know that construction is continuing at the terminals, too? FLL is getting five new concourses in Terminal 1. Terminals 1, 2 & 3 are being modernized and the International Terminal will be rebuilt. Some $650 million is being spent on all the terminal construction. Terrazzo floors, soaring ceilings, centralized security checkpoints are some of the new features, plus some great new restaurants. Already opened in Terminal 3 are Blue Bar and Food Network Kitchen. Don’t forget to bring your tablet when traveling, too. FLL offers free Wi-Fi throughout all the terminals.

Meanwhile, JetBlue continues to expand at FLL, announcing it will launch new routes including daily service to Las Vegas, Pittsburgh and Cartagena, Colombia. Silver Airways is also adding three daily flights to Jacksonville starting this summer.

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New Facility Will Convert Restaurant Waste to Energy

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Broward County Water and Wastewater Services and its partner, Chevron Energy Solutions, broke ground in May for a private-public biogas-to-energy plant. This modern facility will turn waste, such as restaurant fats, oil and grease, into reliable, renewable power to provide electricity to help run some of the County’s water and wastewater operations. It will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 800 homes. The innovative project is a first in South Florida and will be located at Broward County’s wastewater facility in Pompano Beach.

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Stacy stands next to the first vehicle to enter the new staff parking garage at the new Broward County Courthouse Complex. The BSO vehicle is being driven by Deputy Rick Sessions.

Stacy presents a proclamation to John Thomas Stafford of Coral Springs, who advanced to Eagle Scout.

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Stacy presents a proclamation to Sheila Magerman, the president of the Broward region of Hadassah.

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The new Broward County Courthouse, under construction in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

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Stacy speaking at National Tourism Appreciation Day at the Broward County Convention Center.

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